As they stepped into Quinn and Santana's apartment, the air was suddenly filled with a chorus of voices shouting, "SURPRISE!" Santana's heart skipped a beat as she entered the scene before her. Her apartment, usually quiet and serene, was now buzzing with excitement and filled with familiar faces.
Her parents were there, smiling brightly as they greeted her with open arms. Brett's parents stood beside them, their faces alight with joy and anticipation. Scattered throughout the room were their best friends, laughing and chatting as they waited for the guest of honor to arrive.
Santana felt a surge of emotion wash over her as she took in the sight before her. She couldn't believe everyone had come together to celebrate their return from the airport. It was overwhelming but in the best possible way.
Brett wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as they took in the scene together Quinn ran over to them, her arms outstretched in a warm embrace, Santana couldn't help but be overcome with emotion. "Surprise!" Quinn exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement and happiness.
Santana turned to her friend, tears of happiness glistening in her eyes. "I can't believe you did all of this" she murmured, her voice filled with awe and gratitude. They started to navigate their way through the sea of guests, exchanging hugs and smiles with each familiar face they encountered. Brett's dad approached him with a proud smile, and handed Brett a beer. "Congratulations, son," he said, clapping Brett on the shoulder in a gesture of fatherly pride.
Brett nodded, a wide grin spreading across his face as he clinked his beer bottle against his dad's. The warmth of the moment washed over him, filling him with a deep sense of happiness and contentment.
His attention was soon drawn to his best friends from Miami, who had made the journey to New York with their girlfriends to join in the celebration. Ryder, Mason, and Hunter stood together, their faces lit up with excitement as they greeted Brett with enthusiastic hugs. "Welcome to New York, boys" Brett exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine pleasure at seeing his friends.
After catching up with his friends and updating them on his move back to Miami, Brett slipped away to find Santana. He spotted her surrounded by her friends, all of them admiring the sparkling ring on her finger. With a smile on his face, he approached her quietly, leaning in to kiss the side of her head tenderly. Rachel caught sight of Brett and grinned. "You picked well, Brett," she remarked, nodding towards the stunning diamond ring.
Brett met Rachel's gaze with a confident smile. "I know" he replied, his voice filled with affection as he turned his attention back to Santana. Leaning in closer to her, he whispered, "I know" before pressing a kiss to her lips.
Santana smiled up at him, her eyes shining with love and happiness. She reached out to thread her fingers through his, squeezing his hand gently as she returned his kiss. As they pulled away from each other, Santana's eyes were shining as she reached out to take Brett's hand in hers, her fingers intertwining with his as they stood together, united in their love and commitment to each other.
Mercedes, ever the forward thinker, couldn't resist broaching the subject. "So, have you two lovebirds thought about wedding plans yet?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. Santana shook her head, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips as she took a sip of her drink. "Not yet," she replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "We've been too busy soaking in the moment."
Brett chimed in, his enthusiasm evident as he leaned in closer to Santana. "But we're thinking sooner rather than later, right?" he asked, his gaze meeting Santana's with a knowing look. Santana nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Definitely," she confirmed. "It won't be a super long engagement."
Kurt couldn't resist injecting a note of humor into the conversation. "Can I come to the bachelor and bachelorette parties?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Santana rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Oh, please," she teased. "We all know you just want to go to the bachelor party to perv on Brett."
The group erupted into laughter at Santana's remark, the tension of the moment dissipating as they shared in the lighthearted banter. Santana's words were met with playful protests from Kurt, who feigned indignation at the accusation, only serving to elicit more laughter from their friends.
As the evening unfolded and the revelry continued, Santana found herself engaged in a conversation with Brett's mom. The topic of their impending move to Miami hung in the air, casting a shadow of anticipation over the festivities.
"So, Santana, have you been looking at jobs in Miami?" Judy inquired, her voice tinged with concern. Santana nodded, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered her response. "I've seen a few things," she admitted. "But I haven't applied to anything yet. We still have four months until we move, so we're taking our time to figure out the logistics."
Judy nodded in understanding, her expression softening with empathy. "Don't leave it too long," she advised gently. "Time will fly by before you know it." Santana offered a grateful smile in response, her heart warmed by Judy's concern for their well-being. "Thanks, Judy," she murmured, her voice filled with appreciation.
The conversation shifted to the topic of housing, and Judy's curiosity was piqued as she asked, "Do you two have a property lined up yet?" Santana shook her head, her lips curving into a rueful smile. "Not yet" she confessed. "But Brett has been scoping out some apartments in the area."
Judy's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why aren't you getting a house?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity. Santana shrugged, her expression thoughtful as she considered her response. "We're saving up to buy" she explained. "So, for now, we'll rent until we find the perfect place." Judy nodded in understanding, her expression softening with empathy. "That makes sense," she conceded. "It's important to find the right place to call home."
The bustling energy of the party continued to swirl around Santana as she navigated through the crowd, her eyes scanning the room in search of Brett. She felt a sense of relief wash over her as she finally spotted him amidst his group of friends, his easy smile lighting up his face as he engaged in animated conversation.
With a sense of determination, Santana made her way towards him, weaving through the throng of guests with purpose. As she drew closer, she reached out to gently run her hand up his back, a silent greeting that conveyed more than words ever could.
"Hey," Brett greeted her with a warm smile, his arm instinctively wrapping around her shoulder as he pulled her close. Santana returned his smile with a nod, her exhaustion evident in the weary lines of her face. "Hey," she replied softly, her voice tinged with fatigue. "I'm tired of talking to people."
Brett's smile widened at her admission, his weariness mirrored in her words. "I hear you," he chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "My social battery is at like 20% right now." Santana nodded in understanding, grateful for his empathy and understanding. "Do you want to head over to your apartment?" she suggested, her voice hopeful. Brett's eyes lit up at the suggestion, his enthusiasm evident as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds perfect" he replied, his smile widening. "I'll call an Uber."
Brett and Santana made their way through the crowd, gently informing their friends and family that they were heading out. The long day of travel from Cabo had taken its toll, and they both longed for the comfort and quiet of their own home.
Brett approached their parents, extending an invitation for lunch the following day. "Would you like to join us for lunch tomorrow?" he asked, his voice warm with affection. Their parents accepted the invitation with smiles and nods, expressing their gratitude for the offer.
Turning to Santana, Brett reached out his hand, a silent invitation for her to join him. "Come on, babe" he murmured, his voice soft with fatigue as he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of her head. "Let's get you out of here and head to bed." Santana's eyes met his, her expression mirroring his weariness as she nodded in agreement. Taking his hand in hers, she allowed him to lead her towards the door, a sense of relief flooding her weary limbs.
As they stepped out into the cool night air, Santana felt a sense of peace wash over her. The chaos of the party faded into the background, replaced by the quiet comfort of being in Brett's arms.
The rhythmic hum of the tires against the pavement provided a steady backdrop as Brett and Santana sat side by side in the car. Through the windows, the glittering lights of New York City blurred into streaks of color, casting a glow over the bustling streets.
As they watched the city skyline unfold before them, Santana couldn't shake the feeling of Brett's eyes on her. She turned to him, a quizzical expression crossing her features. "What's up?" she asked, her voice soft with curiosity. Brett's gaze turned to the passing scenery outside, his brow furrowed in thought. "Nothing," he replied, his tone evasive.
Santana caught him stealing glances at her two more times before she couldn't resist pressing the issue any longer. "Okay, what's going on?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. Brett let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping with the weight of the unspoken words between them. "Do you maybe want to stop using birth control?" he finally asked, his voice hesitant.
Santana's brow furrowed in confusion, her mind racing to make sense of his unexpected question. "Uh, why?" she questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Brett hesitated for a moment before speaking, his gaze finally meeting hers. "I just... I've been thinking," he began, his voice slow and measured as he searched for the right words. "About our future, and... I think I'm, or we're maybe ready to start a family. Maybe."
His words hung in the air between them. Brett could feel the weight of Santana's gaze on him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt or hesitation. He swallowed hard, the weight of his confession heavy on his tongue as he struggled to articulate the thoughts and emotions swirling inside him.
As he continued to speak, Brett's words spilled out in a nervous ramble, each sentence punctuated by a nervous laugh or a hesitant pause. He spoke of their upcoming move to Miami, new jobs, and the impending wedding – all the pieces of their lives falling into place like the pieces of a puzzle. And yet, amidst the excitement and anticipation, there lingered a lingering sense of doubt and apprehension.
Santana sat in silence, her eyes fixed on Brett as she listened to his words. She could sense the vulnerability in his voice, the raw honesty of his confession laying bare the depths of his heart. Her own emotions were a tumultuous whirlwind, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty swirling within her as she contemplated the enormity of what he was proposing.
When Brett finally paused, his voice trailing off into silence, Santana took a moment to gather her thoughts. She could see the nervousness etched into the lines of his face, the vulnerability in his eyes as he awaited her response. Taking a deep breath, she reached out to gently place her hand on his, a silent gesture of reassurance and support.
Santana slowly smiled her expression a beacon of reassurance amid Brett's racing thoughts and emotions. Her smile, so tender and full of understanding, had a calming effect on him, soothing the frantic beat of his heart just a little.
As she nodded slowly, Brett felt a rush of relief flood through him. The weight of uncertainty that had been pressing down on him began to lift, replaced by a sense of clarity and purpose. "I'll book an appointment to get my IUD removed," she told him, her smile widening as she spoke.
Brett couldn't contain the surge of joy that welled up inside him at her words. "We're doing this?" he asked, his voice filled with incredulity and excitement. Santana nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Yes, we're doing this" she affirmed, her voice steady and resolute.
A smile broke across Brett's face as he leaned in to kiss her, his heart overflowing with love and gratitude. "I love you" he whispered against her lips, his voice filled with tenderness. Santana's laughter bubbled up between them, a sweet melody of joy and anticipation. "I can't wait for all the sex we're going to have" he winked at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
As the Uber pulled up to Brett's building, Brett couldn't resist the urge to playfully tease her, his hand coming to rest on her stomach. "There's going to be a mini you and me in here" he whispered, his voice filled with excitement and wonder. Santana smiled at his words, her heart swelling with love for the man beside her. Placing her hand on top of his, she leaned in close, her eyes shining with affection.
As they made their way towards the entrance of the building, Brett couldn't resist the urge to tease her once more. Slapping her on the ass, he leaned in close, his voice filled with playful mischief. "Let's go make a baby, baby" he quipped, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Santana rolled her eyes at his antics, a playful smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I hate to break it to you, but I'm still on birth control" she teased, her tone light and teasing. Brett pulled a mock sad face at her revelation, his lower lip jutting out in a comically exaggerated pout. "Well, we could practice making one?" he suggested, his voice laced with playful innuendo.
Santana couldn't help but laugh at his antics, her laughter echoing in the quiet of the evening. "I thought you were tired?" she teased, her eyes dancing with amusement. Brett's expression turned serious as he looked at her, his gaze filled with love and desire. "I'm never too tired for sex, especially the baby-making kind" he replied, his voice soft and sincere.
Santana couldn't help but roll her eyes at his response, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. With a playful swat to his chest, she leaned in close, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Okay, Pierce" she quipped, her tone teasing. "Let's go practice making a baby." With a mischievous grin, she pulled him into a kiss, her lips meeting his with a fervor born of love and desire.